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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProtocol for Eastern Box Turtle Conservation during Construction OFFICE LOCATION: MAILING ADDRESS: Town Hall Annex "�Q� Sad P.O. Box 1179 54375 State Route 25 O r�/� Southold, NY 11971 (cor.Main Rd. &Youngs Ave.) ti Q Southold, NY � � Telephone: 631 765-1938 www.southoldtowirmy.gov © CnUNV, PLANNING BOARD OFFICE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD Protocol for Woodland Box Turtle Conservation During Construction November 7, 2022 Prior to beginning clearing,measures to protect the Woodland Box Turtle, formerly known as the Eastern Box Turtle, must be taken. As a New York State-listed species of Special Concern,the Woodland Box Turtle requires some measure of protection to ensure that the species does not become threatened. Species of special concern are protected wildlife pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0103(5)(c). To minimize the loss of Woodland Box Turtles, any clearing at the site scheduled from April 1 and November 15 will be preceded by wildlife surveys following the protocol below: a. Surveys for Woodland Box Turtles must be led by a herpetologist or wildlife biologist with experience locating wild box turtles, and their qualifications provided to the Planning Board for approval prior to the surveys being conducted. b. The survey effort required must equal the following: area of impact x 4 person- hours/acre =total person-hours of survey effort c. Timing of survey: i. The survey for Woodland Box Turtles must be conducted immediately preceding clearing activity. ii. Surveys must be conducted at the time of day and during weather conducive to peak activity for turtles, to the greatest extent practicable and as advised by the herpetologist. d. Prior to clearing, temporary barriers of wire-backed silt fencing shall be installed around the limits of work and turtle surveys must be conducted. 2 e. Installation of the temporary barriers must minimize vegetation disturbance.No clearing may occur outside the Limits of Work. f. The bottom of the silt fencing must be buried in a 4-inch deep trench. The trench must be backfilled and compacted. If it is not possible to dig a trench, then the bottom of the barrier must be affixed to the surface. g. Once installed,the barrier shall be taut between the stakes. Slumps or loose materials will undermine the effectiveness of the barrier. No hay bales or other backing material shall be used. h. The limits of work must be encircled completely by the silt fence to exclude turtles from entering the area, but able to be opened for equipment to go in and out during working hours (and closed again at the end of the work day). i. The barrier should be installed immediately prior to the required survey. j. A person familiar with barrier maintenance shall inspect the barrier and facilitate any repairs/alterations necessary to ensure the integrity of the barrier. k. Silt fence barriers may not be removed from the site until that phase of the project is complete and is stabilized by vegetation. 1. Routine silt fence barrier maintenance is required during the Turtle Active Season (April 1 st through November 15)—Once per month a person familiar with barrier maintenance and installation shall inspect the barrier and facilitate any repairs or alterations. The turtle barrier should remain taut between stakes and any holes along the bottom repaired. m. Outside the Turtle Active Season (November 16th through March 31 st) -- If the barrier has been left in place over the winter months and construction is on-going, a person familiar with barrier maintenance shall conduct an early season inspection in late March or early April to facilitate any repairs or alteration necessary for the barrier to function for turtle protection. n. Any box turtles found during the search will be captured and relocated to an undisturbed area on the property as far from the proposed clearing as possible. o. Documentation of the dates, times, area covered, names and qualifications of personnel involved, and results of the survey must be provided to the Planning Department as soon as possible after completion, and prior to clearing.